Clyburn Lecture Series looks at healthcare reform

The fourth annual James E. Clyburn Health Disparities Lecture will expand to two days of events this month and offer a comprehensive program on what federal and state budgets and healthcare reform will mean at the local, state and national levels for children and adults.

Some of the nation’s top leaders in health services, policy and research will be in Columbia April 28 – 29 for the programs, which center on the theme, “Health Equity in the 21st Century: Saving the Next Generation.”

Thursday, April 28, 1 p.m.: The series will begin with a keynote address and panel discussion on the topic, “How Will Funding Impact Health Disparities Research, Policy and Practice?”

The keynote speaker is Dr. Garth Graham, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He earned his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Epidemiology and Public Health. Graham is on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School and is a visiting scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Dr. Donna M. Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands will moderate. She is the first female physician to serve in the U.S. Congress and the first female delegate from the Virgin Islands.

Panelists are Dr. Marion Burton, an associate dean of the USC School of Medicine and the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Dr. Jay Moskowitz, president and CEO of Health Sciences South Carolina; Anton Gunn, Region 4 director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Barvetta Singletary, deputy chief of staff/appropriations coordinator for U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn; Frances Ashe-Goins, acting director of the Office of Women’s Health, U.S. Health and Human Services; and Dr. Francis Chesley, director of the Office of Extramural Research, Education and Priority Populations, Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality.

Dr. Bill Jenkins of the Institute for African-American Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will deliver closing remarks. A reception is planned after the event.

Thursday, April 28, 6 – 8 p.m.: Health Disparities Community Town Hall Meeting will examine the question, “How Will Current State and Federal Budget Cuts Impact All Health-Related Services Provided to the Next Generation?” A reception will begin at 5 p.m.

Ruffin is regarded as a visionary in the field of minority health and health disparities. As an academician and a scientist, Ruffin has devoted his professional career to improving the health status of racial and ethnic minorities and other medically underserved groups in the United States. Ruffin earned his bachelor’s degree from Dillard University, a master’s degree in biology from Atlanta University and a doctoral degree in systematic and developmental biology from Kansas State University.

Glover will provide closing remarks, and a reception will take place after the lecture.

Also on Friday, April 29, the lecture series will feature a Health Disparities Research, Policy and Practice Poster Session from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The poster session will showcase health-disparities research and practice being conducted by USC faculty, research staff and students, as well as community, clinical and/or agency partners.